Victim in alleged homicide identified

March 21, 2013

Police have identified a woman who died after being shot in the chest Wednesday night on Molokai as 24-year-old Malia Kahalewai of Honouliwai.

Her 33-year-old boyfriend, who was arrested Thursday morning after fleeing the scene of the shooting at Kawela Barns Apartments, remained in police custody as a murder investigation continued, police said. He had not been charged Thursday afternoon.

Molokai patrol officers were called to the apartments at 2626 Kamehameha V Highway at 9:59 p.m. to investigate a report that the shooting had just occurred, police said. Kahalewai was transported to Molokai General Hospital in critical condition and died after suffering fatal injuries from a single gunshot wound to the chest, police said.

Witnesses said Kahalewai's boyfriend fled the scene in a compact Honda car that was seen heading east on Kamehameha V Highway, police said.

Officers later located the car near his residence in the area known as Honouliwai on Molokai's East End, and he surrendered himself to police without incident.

An autopsy is pending. Police said Kahalewai and her boyfriend had children together.